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Seroprevalence of Cysticercus cellulosae and associated risk factors in free-range pigs in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2010

J.M. Kagira ,
N. Maingi ,
P.W.N. Kanyari ,
S.M. Githigia ,
J.C. Ng'ang'a  and
J.M. Gachohi
J.M. Kagira*
Affiliation:
Trypanosomiasis Research Centre-KARI, PO Box 362, 00625Kikuyu, Kenya
N. Maingi
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
P.W.N. Kanyari
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
S.M. Githigia
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
J.C. Ng'ang'a
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi, PO Box 29053, Nairobi, Kenya
J.M. Gachohi
Affiliation:
Trypanosomiasis Research Centre-KARI, PO Box 362, 00625Kikuyu, Kenya International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Old Naivasha Rd, Kabete, PO Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
*
*E-mail: jkagira@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Porcine cysticercosis is an emerging zoonosis with public health and economic importance. A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the disease in free-range pigs on 182 smallholder farms in Busia District, Kenya. The survey households were selected using a snowballing technique. Serum samples were obtained from 284 pigs of all ages at farm level and 37 pigs from slaughter slabs in the study area. The samples were analysed for the presence of cysticercus antigen using an antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A structured questionnaire was administered to determine the risk factors for porcine cysticercosis on the study farms. At pig level, the total number of pigs testing positive were 11, resulting in a seroprevalence of 4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9–6.2%), while the farms with a positive pig were 9% (95% CI: 3.9–14.1%). All pigs examined in the slaughter slab survey were seronegative. The distribution of possible risk factors for porcine cysticercosis that were observed at farm level was as follows: free-range pig keeping (100%), history of human taeniosis infection in a family (51%), slaughtering of pigs at home (20%), lack of meat inspection (15%) and absence of latrines (15%). The only significant (χ2 = 4.4, P = 0.034, odds ratio (OR) = 3.8) risk factor associated with the occurrence of cysticercosis was lack of latrines at household level. The study shows that porcine cysticercosis is prevalent in free-range pigs in Busia District, Kenya and thus control measures need to be instituted.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 84 , Issue 4 , December 2010 , pp. 398 - 403
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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